Joco Today

U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, Todd Young, Tammy Duckworth, and Maggie Hassan have announced the signing of the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act into law. This bipartisan legislation aims to provide veterans with service-connected disabilities expedited screening under the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) PreCheck program.

The TSA PreCheck program is already available at no cost to active duty, reserves, and National Guard service members. The new law extends this benefit to veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind, addressing challenges faced when passing through airport security with prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids.

“Ensuring wounded veterans have little difficulty getting through airport security is a simple but impactful way to honor these heroes’ sacrifices for our country. I’m proud we kicked off the 119th Congress by passing this meaningful legislation for our veterans,” stated Senator Marshall.

Senator Young highlighted the difficulties veterans face at airports: “Airports can be a dreaded experience for veterans with service-connected disabilities because of the invasive screenings they may endure at security checkpoints. This new law will provide dignified travel to thousands of wounded warriors by ensuring PreCheck benefits are easily available to them.”

Senator Duckworth expressed her pride in the legislative achievement: “Millions of Veterans have sacrificed a great deal in service to our nation and returned home with service-connected disabilities—for those of us who rely on prosthetics and wheelchairs for mobility, air travel and passing through airport security can be a challenge. I’m proud President Biden signed our bipartisan legislation into law so we can begin making TSA PreCheck available to these Veterans at no cost and make flying and passing through airports easier and less intrusive.”

“For veterans who have already overcome extraordinary challenges in service to our country, navigating airport security should not be another hurdle,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan legislation recognizes the unique challenges that many disabled veterans face and helps to better ensure that their travel experience reflects the dignity of their service.”

Under this act, the Department of Veterans Affairs will certify eligible veterans. Once certified, TSA will process their application for TSA PreCheck access at no cost upon successful completion of a background check and interview process. Additionally, TSA advises these veterans to use TSA PreCheck alongside calling the TSA Cares hotline 72 hours before departure for expedited screening.

The VETS Safe Travel Act has garnered support from organizations including the Wounded Warrior Project, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Honor Flight Network, Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, Blinded Veterans Association, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.